ABERDEENSHIRE Council’s new affordable housing plan could see more than 2,000 new homes be delivered across the region over the next five years.
The strategic housing investment plan (SHIP) outlines the council’s affordable housing priorities for 2026-2031 in support of the local housing strategy. The plan was approved by the council’s communities committee at its latest meeting.
Over the next five years, the SHIP could potentially deliver 2,291 new affordable homes across Aberdeenshire, with around 619 suitable for particular needs, of which 232 would be fully wheelchair accessible.
Councillors were told that delivery of the properties would be subject to the availability of Scottish Government funding and Aberdeenshire Council’s housing revenue account plan, as well as the business plans of registered social landlords.
Around three quarters of affordable housing development stems from the private development industry under the Aberdeenshire local development plan’s affordable housing policy.
The majority of new homes delivered under the SHIP will be for social rent, with a focus on one, three, four, and five-bed properties, which are in high demand locally. A report before councillors outlined that 189 properties were completed across Aberdeenshire in the past financial year, with the majority being council properties for rent, along with some rental properties from registered social landlords.
Since March this year, 73 properties have been completed in Mintlaw, 26 in Peterhead, five in Kemnay, and six in Inverurie for rent – of which 20 are suitable for particular needs and 14 for wheelchair users.
Work is continuing for a further 137 rental properties, with 41 being delivered through the council’s new build programme, and the remainder through registered social landlord partners. Of these, 47 are suitable for particular needs, including 30 for wheelchair users.
A further 117 units are on site in Chapelton for shared equity sale and mid-market rent, with 28 suitable for particular needs.
Speaking after the communities committee meeting, chair councillor Anne Stirling said, “The SHIP is once again ambitious and tailored to best meet demand across Aberdeenshire. We hope to see as many of the potential properties delivered as possible and will be working closely with partners over the plan’s lifespan to achieve this.
“The plan also works to ensure that properties suitable for wheelchair users and others with particular needs form part of developments to increase the availability of such accommodation for those who require it.”
